Optimal driving strategies for a fleet of trains

TL;DR

This paper develops optimal driving strategies for train fleets to minimize costs by adjusting energy usage during peak periods without altering schedules, using constrained optimization.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of constrained optimization to determine energy-efficient train driving strategies that respect schedule constraints.

Findings

Strategies reduce overall operating costs

Minimal schedule disruption achieved

Applicable to large rail networks

Abstract

In order to manage electricity transmission and distribution it is now common practice for system operators to offer financial incentives that encourage large consumers to reduce energy usage during designated peak demand periods. For train operators on large rail networks it may be profitable -- with selected individual journeys -- to reduce energy usage during peak times and increase energy usage at other times rather than simply minimizing overall energy consumption. We will use classical methods of constrained optimization to find optimal driving strategies for a fleet of trains subject to limits on total energy consumption during specified intermediate time intervals but with no change to individual journey times. The proposed strategies can be used by a large rail organisation to reduce overall operating costs with only minimal disruption to existing schedules and with no changes to important departure and arrival times.